An armed man was shot and killed at the end of a police chase that began in Hemet, ended in Riverside and included the suspect driving recklessly and firing at authorities, police said Saturday.
Around 7:30 p.m. Friday, officers with the Hemet Police Department attempted to contact a man wanted in connection with a shooting investigation in the city, but the suspect fled in a vehicle and led officers on a pursuit and shot at authorities while being chased on the Escondido (215) Freeway, according to Officer Ryan Railsback with the Riverside Police Department.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department took over the pursuit and the suspect fired at deputies in the area of the Escondido (215) Freeway and Van Buren Boulevard, Railsback said.
The suspect exited on Van Buren Boulevard and Riverside police took over the pursuit, he said.
The suspect drove recklessly at high speeds on the wrong side of the road several times, Railsback said.
The pursuit moved to Arlington Avenue, where just before California Avenue, the suspect drove toward oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road and tried to maneuver through stopped vehicles before his car became stuck. At that point, an officer-involved shooting occurred, Railsback said.
A SWAT team was called to render the situation safe after the suspect appeared to be slumped over and did not respond to officers' commands, he said.
News
Top news of the day
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arlington Avenue near California Avenue is expected to be closed for several hours this morning while the investigation continues.
